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Cultural Appropriation
Nanjing, China
2018

I’m not a Buddhist but I find the architecture, lighting, and artwork of Buddhist temples to be impressive spaces that are generally in their own way calming and relaxing places. (This is also the case with old cathedrals.) So it was very jarring for me to be wandering around peacefully in this temple and see this swastika on the sleeping Buddha statue. Even though backwards from the Nazi swastika it still did a heck of a job disrupting my otherwise calm attitude.

Long before Hitler made the swastika into a hated symbol, it was a common and important symbol to Buddhists, as well as many other groups around the world including some Native Americans. To my knowledge, none of these earlier uses has ever been associated with the kind of horrors perpetrated by the Third Reich. (The Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. has a nice history of the symbol on their website here.)

This is probably one of the most obscene examples of cultural appropriation there is. I suppose you have to give the Buddhists credit for not abandoning their sacred symbol given it’s more recent negative connotations, but boy did it spoil the mood in that temple for me!

Buddha Wall
Nanjing, China
2018

Meant to Impress
Nanjing, China
2018

This statue, called Reclining Buddha, or Sleeping Buddha, is probably 30-40 feet long and 10-15 feet tall. It was surround by a circular moat filled with fog. The walls behind it are filled with niches containing additional Buddha statues.

Camouflage Commerce
Nanjing, China
2018

Just inside the entrance to the modern temple I was visiting, at first I thought this was just and interesting abstract sculptural piece. Then I noticed the heads behind what turned out to be the admissions desk. (Yes, they do charge admission at many of the temples in China–they are as much tourist attractions as they are places of worship. I believe I got into this one for free though cuz I’m an old fart.)

Art Walk
Nanjing, China
2018

The expansive portico on this Buddhist temple was lined with one relief sculptured mural after another. My Chinese artist friend who I stayed with in Nanjing was asked to design one of the temple murals. Even though he would have been well paid he declined the offer because they made the decision not allow the artists to sign their work.

The New Way
Nanjing, China
2018

Turning around from the view shown in yesterday’s POTD you see this–part of a new Buddhist temple. It was a very interesting mix of old design motifs in new architectural form.

Tiered Tower in the Trees
Nanjing, China
2018

A traditionally designed pagoda. It looks old but is actually quite new.

The Whole Gang
Nanjing, China
2018

Speak No Evil
Nanjing, China
2018

Hear No Evil
Nanjing, China
2018